Archive for January 22nd, 2010

Hard-serving Ivo Karlovic upset veteran Croatian Ivan Ljubicic 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7) in the third round of the 2010 Australian Open. Up next is Rafa Nadal, who lost the third set in his match against Philipp Kohlschreiber. (Draw:Men’s singles.)

Li Ning put him in the same multi-patterned mishmash polo (this time in a light seafoam green) to start out 2010. With all the sartorial switcheroos so far, it’s refreshing to see that Ivan and Li Ning have stuck together.

TSF spoke to Ljubicic back at the 2009 U.S. Open, and he told us all about how he’s worked closely with Li Ning to tweak and develop their tennis sneaks; he was their guinea pig. We look forward to what’s in store for Ljubicic in 2010. (Further reading:Ad Age named Li Ning their Marketer of the Year for 2009.)

The comeback story of Kim Clijsters hit a little bit of a snag when she ran into Nadia Petrova in the third round of the 2010 Australian Open. Many had high hopes that she’d join fellow recent unretiree Justine Henin — and the newbie Yanina Wickmayer — in a Belgian battle in the bottom half of the draw.

Instead, Petrova — who trained for six weeks leading up to Melbourne — gave Kim her worst loss in a very long time: a 6-0, 6-1 drubbing that booted the Fila mascot off the court in less than an hour.

“I was completely off,” Clijsters told reporters after the match. “I think tenniswise, I didn’t feel the ball at all.”

Henin and Wickmayer face each other in the round of 16; the winner of that match will play the winner of Petrova vs. Kuznetsova. (Draw:Women’s singles.)

Honorable mention: There weren’t really any good shots of it, but we are all about Fila’s Heritage skort. It’s got pleats just on the front left side, giving us a refreshing take on a classic tennis outfit.

I assume you watched Project Runway last night? That Korean girl is craaaazeeeeee, but her dress was fantastic. And I never fall for anyone who uses the word “hoochie”, but I could not stop staring at Jesus Estrada. What is wrong with me??

Onto business: speaking of that potato sack PR episode, Maria Kirilenko is one lady who could look good wearing anything. Case in point: she looks wonderful in adidas‘ competition line, having been downgraded traded places with Caro Wozniacki as the face of Stella McCartney‘s line for the sportswear company.

Making lemons: Kirilenko shot to the top of Day 1 headlines with her upset of 14th seed Maria Sharapova in the first round. She’s now through to the fourth round and will face another Russian, Dinara Safina. (Draw:Women’s singles.)

A closer look: We love how Kirilenko’s made that adidas Competition Tank pop on the court. Contrasting that lime (“acid buzz”) with black is never optimal, but notice the use of color from her hair accessories, nail polish, and knee strap.

Like this:

Alona Bondarenko bagged the first upset during Day 5 of play at the 2010 Australian Open with her defeat of eighth seed Jelena Jankovic in the third round.

The rusty (and “clogged-up”) Serbian never round her rythm, and the Ukranian took advantage, running away with a 6-2, 6-3 win. Up next for Alona is a match with Zheng Jie, who took out 11th seed Marion Bartoli. After that, it’s either Safina or Kirilenko. (Draw:Women’s Singles)

Pretty in pink: The “Raspberry Rose” halter dress has that faux layering at the chest (which everyone’s doing), chunky pleating, and grey and white stripes at the high waist to give the dress some extra shape (not that Alona needs the help). One of the cutest dresses of the tournament. Note that her shoes also have grey/pink detail.

Buy: K-Swiss Halter Dress, $75, in rose and white colorways; available February 3rd at kswiss.com. At some point I wish they’d figure out that this should go on sale the same day the tournament starts.